TATAMAGOUCHE – Hannah Martin had no idea she’d hear her name called that night, but as it rolled off the emcee’s tongue, she wasn’t complaining.

“I was pretty shocked,” she said. “It was a goal of mine from the beginning of the year to win Female Athlete of the Year. But there were so many other good athletes, I didn’t think it would be me.”

North Colchester High School handed out its athletic awards last week, as the school sports season wound down to a close.

Modesty aside, Martin built a solid case to win the award.

Active in nearly every sport available to her – softball, soccer, track and field, among others – Martin was named most-valuable player in softball and basketball, while maintaining her marks in the classroom.

“My school work always came before my sports,” she said. “It kind of gave me an incentive to do better in school, knowing that when I was done I’d be able to have more time to give to sports.”

To stay ahead of the ball, Martin stayed behind after school on days when she wasn’t on the field or in the gym. While she thanks her family and friends for the award, her teachers get the biggest praise.

They supported me a lot when I have to leave school for sports,” she said, noting that each sport required her to miss school at some point. “They made sure I was prepared and had time to catch up.”

One such teacher was Catherine MacLellan, a replacement teacher who came to North Colchester to fill a maternity leave position last year. MacLellan immediately got involved in everything she could around the school – everything from helping with track and field to being on the prom committee.

MacLellan was awarded for her efforts with the Spirit Award, given to a student or teacher who best exemplifies school spirit and enthusiasm.

“It was definitely a surprise, but a very pleasant one,” she said.

MacLellan was brought back this year on a full-time replacement role, but doesn’t know what the future holds at North Colchester. Regardless of where she ends up, she is happy to have made her mark on the school.

“The community here is so supportive and the kids are great. They want to help you out anyway they can, so it’s hard not to do the same for them.”